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Retailers along the East Coast are still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, whether it be damage to their homes or stores, while trying to keep their shelves stocked for customers. It’s a challenge for all involved, but it’s made just a little easier by those stepping in to help.

Jon Phillips, owner of Phillips Hardware in Albany, N.Y., is just one retailer reaching out to others. Because the storm hadn’t done much damage in the Albany area, Phillips had 28 extra generators and, knowing they were needed in areas more heavily affected by the storm, began calling different stores to see who could use them.

“We’d gotten lots of business with the hype about the storm coming, but we were fortunate that nothing happened,” Phillips says. “We had generators and flashlights that we knew we wouldn’t be selling the next day or two.”

Eventually, he spoke with Howie Levine, who owns Denville Do it Best Hardware in Denville, N.J. The two had met years ago at a Do it Best market. Phillips agreed to bring the generators to Levine at his store.

Phillips and his father, Abbott, loaded the generators and other emergency supplies into their truck and made the drive, arriving in a dark town without electricity but with plenty of customers eager to get a generator.

The generators were sold on a first-come, first-serve basis and sold out quickly.

On his way to Denville, Phillips even dropped off a few more at a school in New York that didn’t have electricity.

Phillips says he was glad to be able to help those affected by the storm, and especially to be able to help someone he knew. “It was bizarre,” he says. “I looked at the list of stores and happened to see Denville Do It Best. I’ve known Howie for 20 years. It’s great to be able to help other members you have longstanding connections with.”

Because of shortages, retailers across the region are doing their best to keep their customers informed about what supplies they do and don’t have. Chris Rubeo of Berger True Value Hardware in Hawthorne, N.Y., sends daily emails to the customers on his email list, keeping them up-to-date on the status of various supplies, including generators, batteries, lanterns, flashlights, propane and much more. The emails list items that are in stock and out of stock and tells when the store is expecting new shipments.